[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28896-28897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13935]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; 30 CFR 77.1901, Records of Preshift and 
Onshift Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement of the 
information collection related to Records of Preshift and Onshift 
Inspections of Slope and Shaft Areas. MSHA is particularly interested 
in comments which:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;

[[Page 28897]]

    * Enhance the quality; utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected], along 
with an original printed copy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The sinking of slopes and shafts is a particularly hazardous 
operation where conditions change drastically in short periods of time. 
Explosive methane and other harmful gases can be expected to infiltrate 
the work environment at any time. The working environment is typically 
a confined area in close proximity to moving equipment. Mandatory 
safety standard 30 CFR 77.1901 requires coal mine operators to conduct 
examinations of slope and shaft areas for hazardous conditions, 
including tests for methane and oxygen deficiency, within 90 minutes 
before each shift and once during each shift, and before and after 
blasting. The surface area surrounding each slope and shaft is also 
required to be inspected for hazards.
    The standard also requires that a record be kept of the results of 
the inspections. The record consists of a description of any hazardous 
condition found and the corrective action taken to abate it. The record 
is necessary to ensure that the inspections and tests are conducted in 
a timely fashion and that corrective action is taken when hazardous 
conditions are identified. The record is maintained at the mine site 
for the duration of the operation.

II. Current Actions

    MSHA proposes to continue the information collection requirement 
related to records of preshift and onshift inspections of slope and 
shaft areas for an additional 3 years. MSHA believes that eliminating 
this requirement would expose miners to unnecessary risk of injury or 
death. The records are used by slope and shaft supervisors and 
employees, State mine inspectors, and Federal mine inspectors. The 
records show that the examinations and tests were conducted and give 
insight into the hazardous conditions that have been encountered and 
those that may be encountered. The records of inspections greatly 
assist those who use them in making decisions that will ultimately 
affect the safety and health of slope and shaft sinking employees.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement without change.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Records of Preshift and Onshift Inspections of Slope and 
Shaft Areas.
    OMB Number: 1219-0082.
    Recordkeeping: Records are required to be kept for the duration of 
the operation.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: 30 CFR 77.1901.
    Total Respondents: 30.
    Frequency: Twice per shift.
    Total Responses: 10,164.
    Average Time per Response: 1.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 12,705 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: May 20, 1997.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-13935 Filed 5-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M